America in Our Time Review Flashcards

These flashcards cover key concepts and themes from the lecture on American history and culture, focusing on the period of the 1960s and significant socio-political changes.

Accelerated Time

A concept describing the rapid changes in life and circumstances in America, particularly highlighting that events and trends now rapidly succeed one another.

Kennedy Myth

A powerful national narrative symbolizing hope and idealism, which was shattered by the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

Myth and National Consciousness

The distillation of a nation's complex experiences and perceptions into simpler narratives that influence public discourse and identity.

Dallas vs. Watergate

Contrasting events that symbolize the loss of hope and trust in American leadership, marking significant shifts in the national mood.

Camelot

A symbolic reference to the idealized vision of America during the Kennedy presidency, signifying hope and a new era.

Crisis of the 1960s

A period characterized by disillusionment and questioning of whether societal problems could be solved, moving from hope to skepticism.

American Myths

Culturally significant narratives that convey ideals of American life, such as the landing on the moon or the imprisonment of George Jackson.

Political Consensus

A general agreement on fundamental issues among political leaders and the public, particularly seen in the 1950s and early 1960s.

Ambiguity of Class in America

The perception that class distinctions are less relevant in American society, especially in the context of economic prosperity.

Liberal Consensus Values

Beliefs that emphasize the democracy of American capitalism, social harmony through economic growth, and the irrelevance of class conflict.

Anti-Communism

A prevailing sentiment during the Cold War that shaped politics and society in the United States, viewed as a unifying ideology.

Eisenhower Administration Goals

Principles that emphasized the importance of maintaining economic growth while addressing the global threat of communism.

Keynesian Economics

An economic theory advocating for government intervention to maintain full employment and stimulate economic growth.

Demographics of Change

The shift in American identity and class structures due to economic growth after World War II, leading to increased social mobility.

Social Movements of the 1960s

Grassroots movements aiming for civil rights and social justice, often in response to the disillusionment with existing institutions.

Consensus Politics

A governance style characterized by broad agreement across political factions, often leading to a reluctance to challenge the status quo.

Cuban Missile Crisis

A pivotal Cold War confrontation that heightened tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, influencing public perception of leadership.

American Imperialism

The idea that the United States took on an imperial role globally, especially post-World War II.

Civil Rights Movement

A struggle by African Americans and their allies for equal rights and an end to segregation, catalyzed by changing societal attitudes.

Affluent Society

A term describing American society's prosperity and consumerism post-World War II, alongside the emergence of social challenges.

Nixon and the Bicentennial

Richard Nixon's efforts to associate patriotism with corporate profits and military glory during the 1976 U.S. Bicentennial celebrations.